East Coast barrel horse trainer Brandon Cullins is on a mission to make his name legendary, and his very successful week at the Barrel Futurities of America in Oklahoma City was just what he needed to keep that ball rolling. The humble and quiet Cullins has been winning at this game for years and is starting to make his name a household one, especially within the past year, so it was no surprise when he won the BFA Derby World Championship on Dec. 10.

Cullins piloted Robin Weaver's talented Dash Ta Fame son VQ Sucker Punch "Rocko" to the victory. The 5-year-old VQ Sucker Punch is out of Honor This Nonstop by Mr Honor Bound. Cullins describes the big, lanky gelding as a people-person kind of horse with a huge heart.

"He is a lot of fun to ride, and he gives me 110 percent every run we make," Cullins said. "It seems like his main goal in life is to make everyone around him happy. He is like a dog, very loyal and just wants to be your best friend. The heart and the try that he has makes him very special. He would do anything you asked him to do and he has been so much fun for me this year."

With two solid runs in the first two go-rounds, Cullins easily qualified himself and "Rocko" back to the championship round Saturday evening, which took the top 20 fastest times ran in both go-rounds.

"He worked great in the first round, and I couldn't have asked for a better run," Cullins said. "In the second round, he wanted to set up a little early, and when he does that he will run around the barrel a little instead of sticking his hind leg and coming out fast. In the finals, he was absolutely perfect. Our first and second barrel was smoking, and he was so tight on the second barrel I stayed up riding him to make sure we got around it and he got out of there so quickly that it took me almost the entire way to the third barrel to get my timing back with him."

With his fastest run of 15.378 qualifying him to the championship round and his smoking fast time of 15.248 in the short round, Cullins' aggregate time on two runs of 30.626 seconds gave him the victory and a lot to be grateful for this season.

"The BFA this year was the best one yet for me and the best week of my career thus far," Cullins said. "I was sick all week but had great help with me, Edesse Descoteaux from Quebec, who has been working with me for a little over a month now. I couldn't have made it throughout the week without Edesse's help, Robin Weaver, who owns the horses, and Tim Horton, Robin's boyfriend. I have been coming to the BFA since 2007, and it wasn't until 2012 that I won my first check. I have been working hard, and I am so grateful that it is paying off. I am very grateful."

Besides winning the derby, Cullins also placed on his other derby horse, Foxie Stinson. The pair finished second in the juvenile average, third in the SuperStakes race, won the sire slot race, and got one back to the finals in the futurity. Cullins ended up banking over $75,000 in the Jim Norick Arena last week.

The Rundown

Horse: VQ Sucker Punch 15.3 hands, 1,100 lbs
Bit: Dave Elliot Spur Up 2
Saddle: Caldwell
Saddle pad: 5 Star or Schneider Saddle Pads
Leg gear: Classic Equine
Hay: Alfalfa (AM), Orchard grass (PM)
Grain: Strategy
Supplements: EquiPride tubs
Alternative therapies: Saltwater spa
Sponsors: Davis Insurance with Rob McCauley and EquiPride with Tim Billman

By Hope Sickler